East Indian boxwood had to be discarded in the shuttle trade owing to
its irritant action on the eyes. Sabicu wood from Cuba was stated to
give off ‘a snuffy dust under the machine and hand planes, the effect of
which upon the worker is to cause a running at the eyes and nose, and a
general feeling of cold in the head. The symptoms pass off in an hour or
so after discontinuance of work.’ Reference was made in the report for
1906 to eczematous eruptions produced by so-called Borneo rosewood, a
wood used owing to its brilliant colour and exquisite grain in fret-saw
work. The Director of the Imperial Institute experimented with this wood,
but failed to discover injurious properties in it. At the same time
experiments with the wood and sawdust of East and West Indian satinwood
were undertaken, but also without result.
From inquiries subsequently made it appeared that much confusion existed
as to the designation ‘satinwood,’ as under this name were classed both
East and West Indian satinwood and also satin walnut. The evidence was
clear that East Indian satinwood was more irritating than West Indian.
Satin walnut wood is apparently harmless. In the shipbuilding yards of
East London, Glasgow, and Bristol affections of the skin were recognised,
but susceptibility to the wood varied. One man asserted that merely
laying a shaving on the back of his hand would produce a sore place. The
injurious effects here seem to disappear quickly. Exhaust ventilation is
applied, but there is a tendency to give up the use of the wood.
Isolated cases of illness have been ascribed to working teak and olive
wood. In Sheffield the following are held to be irritating: ebony,
magenta rosewood, West Indian boxwood, cocos wood. Some kinds of mahogany
are said to affect the eyes and nose.
Use of methylated spirit in polishing furniture is said to lead to injury
to health although not to set up actual poisoning. Lead poisoning can
occur from the sand-papering of coats of paint applied to wood.
In impregnating wood with creosote and tar the effects on the skin noted
in the chapter on Tar are observed.
TEXTILE INDUSTRY
In getting rid of the grease from animal wool carbon bisulphide or
_benzine_ may be used.
The process of _carbonising_ in the production of shoddy may give rise to
injury to health from acid fumes. Lead poisoning used to be caused by the
knocking together of the leaden weights attached to the Jacquard looms.
This is a thing of the past, as now iron weights are universal.
Opportunity for lead poisoning is given in the weighting of
yarn—especially of silk with lead compounds.
In _bleaching_ use of chlorine and sulphur dioxide has to be borne in
mind.
In _chemical cleaning_ poisoning by benzine may occur.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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